The governor followed through with her promise waiting until the eleventh hour to take action and veto Bill 185.

The measure, introduced by Sen. Chris Barnett, would have mandated a new hospital be built at Ypao Point in Tamuning.

“I, too, have benefited from the hospital’s Tamuning location. Before I was elected Governor, I lived near the hospital for over 30 years, a home I intend to return to when my term is complete,” said Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero in her veto message to Spkr. Therese Terlaje. “Constructing a hospital at Ypao Point will certainly enhance my property value, and give my family immediate access to the best healthcare available on our island. If I sign this bill into law, it will make my life slightly easier than it would be if I had to travel ten extra minutes to Mangilao.”

The governor stating the bill only caters to specific doctors who supported it.

She has pushed for the new medical complex to be built at Eda Agaga in Barrigada-Mangilao.

“Ypao point is small. Building up will be costly and difficult, because it is located on a fault line, which by itself should be a disqualifying factor,” she said in her veto message. “It does not make sense to cram out critical public health facilities, and the only public hospital we are likely to construct in the next 40 years, into such a crowded space, just so that a select group of most-favored individuals don’t have to wander outside their preferred village.”

The governor during her State of the Island address Tuesday night called for senators to help construct a new hospital in a location that fosters growth and progress.

“A majority of senators have already spoken on the future of Guam’s healthcare and we sent that bill to the governor,” said Sen. Barnett following the governor’s speech Tuesday night. “I think what’s going on here is a bit of political shenanigans. I don’t think the governor is going to veto my bill until we come out of emergency session (Wednesday) because as she knows if she vetoes that bill we can turn around an override it.”

Barnett was hopeful that the governor would pass his measure.

Following the veto Wednesday night, Barnett said he is considering bringing the bill up for a possible override during special session.